Understanding Community Banking: How it Benefits Your Family

When you want to make the most of your hard-earned money or get a specific-to-you answer to a timely financial question, where do you go?

Community banks offer contextual advice, specific services, and immediate availability to people who live nearby. They’re often knit into the very fabric of the communities they serve—supporting local sports teams, attending neighborhood events, and forming real relationships with their customers.

If you and your family are looking for this personalized banking experience, community banks are where you need to start. But before you make that initial phone call, it’s a good idea to know:

How exactly can your community bank best serve you and your loved ones?

But First, a Key Question: What Is Community Banking?

A community bank is one that’s steeped in the local economy, people, and processes. It provides essential financial services to its neighboring residents and businesses.

Community banks exist to serve the local population. They make decisions locally, use contextual information to provide personalized financial solutions, and make time to get to know each and every customer that walks through their doors. If you and your family require more nuanced financial services than big-box banks can offer, a community bank can help.

Your local community bank will also be able to support you and your family with practical services, perks, and benefits, such as:

1. Better rates—and, potentially, lower fees: Community banks may be able to offer exceptionally competitive rates and fees or provide more flexibility on payment schedules or similar logistics. This helps families keep more money in their pockets (or out in the local economy).
2. Personalized loan decisions: There are many reasons a family might want to take out a personal loan. Community banks can make the process as smooth and efficient as possible—and help guide families to the right financial products, depending on the reason for the loan.
3. Intuitive mobile and online banking. We get it—families today are busier than ever, and sometimes you don’t have time to stop by your local bank. Fortunately, the best community banks offer accessible banking solutions, including online and mobile banking tools, so you can handle tasks like depositing checks and managing your money from wherever you are.

You’ll find that at your local community bank, the staff will also take the time to make a connection with you. They’re more than just bank tellers or financial advisors—they’re your neighbors. They’ll remember your name and where your children go to school.

This personal feel can make accessing your banking team’s wealth of experience much easier and, in turn, make benefiting from the family-friendly services your bank offers much simpler.

A Guide to Your Community Bank’s Tailored Financial Products for Families

Wondering which banking services you and your family could benefit from in particular? Your community bank is ready to help you financially support every stage of your family’s life—and every one of life’s important moments along the way.

Here are just a few services and financial products to consider, whether they make sense now or could help in the future:

Savings Accounts for Children

Teaching your children how to save money early on can help set them up for lifelong healthy financial habits. Your community bank may offer savings accounts specifically designed for preteens and teens, which can help you teach financial responsibility from a young age.

Personal Loans with a Personal Touch

There are many times in family life when a little extra money comes in handy. Whether you seek funds for home improvements, medical expenses, or a dream vacation, your community bank is prepared with the time to understand your unique needs—and flexible processes with competitive fees.

Secure, Accessible Checking Accounts

Chances are, you’re no stranger to the daily expenses that come with managing a family. If you’re in need of an intuitive way to keep track of your finances, pay your bills, and deposit checks, an easy-to-use checking account is a must. These accounts often come with low or no monthly fees, online and mobile banking capabilities, and other convenient features such as bill pay and direct deposit.

When you access these and other family-centered financial services through a community bank instead of a larger chain, you benefit from significantly more time and attention, more flexibility, and the ability to form a connection with a bank that’s actively involved in your community.

If you’re looking for a partner to help you support your financial health and goals in a way that’s rooted in your local context, check out the many ways your community bank can support you. Your family's financial future starts with a community bank that genuinely cares about your success.